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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Following the beginning of the nationwide recession in December of 2007, building activity in the Town of Farmington slowed dramatically in 2008. The resulting decline in permit applications, almost by half from that of the previous year, and the simultaneous increase in foreclosures, prompted the Town to reassess its policies and current Zoning Ordinances, as well as seek out more effective ways of implementing the goals of the 2005 Master Plan, completed and adopted at Town Meeting in March of 2008.
Additionally, state and federal governmental responses to the financial crisis in 2008 opened up new funding sources for community development projects. In response to this, the Town has aggressively pursued grant funding from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the proposed 2008 Economic Stimulus Plan of the incoming Presidential administration and other sources to help supply the needed funding to stimulate economic recovery in the Town
As part of the Town’s Master Plan and in response to the current economic challenges faced by the community, the Planning Board was asked by the Economic Development Committee and charged by the Board of Selectmen to investigate rezoning of the Route 11 Corridor and seek to find ways to streamline Farmington’s permitting review process.
It is the hope of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board that the proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance proposed for Town Meeting in 2009 will help to spur economic growth in Farmington, while maintaining the Town’s rural character and improving the quality of life of all of Farmington’s residents.
The following table illustrates building activity in Farmington for 2008:
Permits |
# Issued |
Sq. Ft. |
Valuation |
Residential |
~ |
~ |
~ |
New Construction |
8 |
22,178 |
$1,033,932 |
Manufactured Housing Units |
3 |
3,460 |
$194,754 |
Additions |
10 |
2,893 |
$197,283 |
Remodels |
14 |
N/A |
$144,060 |
Total |
35 |
28,531 |
$1,570,029 |
% Change from 2007 |
-49% |
-57% |
-69% |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Commercial |
~ |
~ |
~ |
New Construction |
2 |
24,136 |
$887,500 |
Addition/Remodel |
2 |
N/A |
$66,992 |
Total |
4 |
24,136 |
$954,492 |
Change from 2007 |
-33% |
+132% |
+15% |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Other Permits |
58 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Total Building Permits |
97 |
~ |
~ |
Change from 2007 |
-32% |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Electrical Permits |
54 |
~ |
~ |
Plumbing Permits |
26 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
Permit Fees |
$ 35,681.64 |
~ |
~ |
Planning Board Fees |
$ 4,404.36 |
~ |
~ |
ZBA Fees |
$ 2,503.00 |
~ |
~ |
Total Fees |
$ 42,589.00 |
~ |
~ |
Change from 2007 |
-$21,377.20 |
~-33% |
~ |
The average value (structure only) of a new stick built residential unit in 2008 was $144418 while the average value (structure only) of a new manufactured housing unit was $82,927.
In addition to the completed projects noted above, 33 Certificates of Occupancy were issued for projects begun prior to 2008.
The Department has also begun an aggressive enforcement campaign in response to citizen complaints about junk cars, trash, and unsafe/unhealthy housing conditions. Over the course of the year the Department has investigated 78 complaints, and is working with both property owners and the Town Attorney to resolve code violations in a timely manner.
FARMINGTON PLANNING BOARD
2008 Report
The Farmington Planning Board consists of seven (7) regular members and three (3) alternates appointed by the Board of Selectmen to develop appropriate tools for the management of growth and development in the community.
In 2008, the Planning Board reviewed and approved 4 subdivision applications creating 12 new lots. 3 subdivision applications were splits creating 1, 2 or 3 new parcels, while 1 subdivision, off of Ten Rod Road, created 5 new lots. Also in 2008 the Planning Board conducted 8 Site Plan reviews for commercial projects, 1 Compliance Hearing for the Campbell Commons Subdivision, 1 Wetlands re-Classification, 1 request for Amendment of a previous Subdivision Decision, which was granted, 2 Voluntary Mergers and approved the Town’s layout of a 50-foot Right-of-Way in the Sarah Greenfield Business Park.
The 2005 Master Plan was completed and adopted at Town Meeting in March of 2008. The Master Plan identifies long-term goals and policies for the Planning Board and town officials to follow in directing growth and development in the town.
The Planning Board also reviewed economic factors for growth and development, updated the Town’s Fee Schedule, amended the Town’s Site Plan Regulations regarding sidewalks, analyzed ways to streamline aspects of the permitting process, and completed draft language of 12 Zoning Ordinance Amendments, with associated revisions to the Town’s Zoning Map, for consideration at Town Meeting. The Board believes that these measures will help to make Farmington more competitive in these challenging economic times, and simultaneously help to ensure the quality of development is kept to the highest levels while preserving the Town’s unique character.
Citizens interested in the future of Farmington are encouraged to participate as the Planning Board undertakes a critical review of ordinances and regulations designed to achieve the vision expressed in the Master Plan.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
2008 Report
The Zoning Board of Adjustment, also appointed by the Board of Selectmen, hears appeals of administrative decisions of the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer, considers variances to the Zoning Ordinance, and decides on applications for Special Exception where allowed by the Zoning Ordinance. In all cases, the ZBA acts in a quasi-judicial capacity, ruling on the merits of each case coming before it to ensure that the zoning ordinance is applied fairly and equitably to all property and property owners. As an indication of the challenging economic climate following the housing and credit crises, the ZBA only met 6 times in 2008, due to a lack of new applications. The ZBA heard 5 requests for variances, granting all 5 applications. The ZBA also considered 1 application for Special Exception, which was granted, and heard 1
appeal from Administrative Decision, which was withdrawn without prejudice.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment fulfills an important community function, and residents interested in community service are encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Community Development to find out how they can participate.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel J. Merhalski Charlie King Elmer W. Barron, III
Director Chairman Chairman
Planning and Community Planning Board Zoning Board of Adjustment
Development
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